Natural and Alternative Remedies for Pollen Allergies

Here are some natural remedies to help control your allergy without using chemical medications.

What are pollen allergies and their symptoms?

Pollen allergies are the most common type of seasonal allergies, affecting millions of people all over the world each year. If you have a pollen allergy, it means that you have an allergic reaction to the fine, powdery substance that is released by male flowering plants. Pollen allergies, also referred to as hay fever, are caused when pollen is scattered through the air. This pollen can be easily inhaled as it makes contact with your mouth, nose, and nasal passage.

Pollen allergies can affect people in different seasons, depending on the kind of plant that the pollen comes from. These allergies are usually worst in the months of March and April when tree pollen is inescapable. From May to July, many people are affected by grass pollen, which are more allergenic. Weed pollen is the most prevalent around the months of August and September.

Depending on the area you live in, your individual sensitivity to pollen may differ. In an area that has warm, dry and windy days, chances of pollen being in the air are much higher. On the other hand, in an area where the air is cool or there are frequent showers, the pollen is washed to the ground, thereby reducing the chances of the substance affecting you. You can try understanding the pollen count in your area to combat your specific pollen allergy better.

The symptoms of pollen allergies may include sneezing, coughing, red eyes, troubled breathing, headache, and swelling around the eyes and nose.

Are there any natural or self-care options for pollen allergies?

Although there are a number of over-the counter- medications and other treatments for pollen allergies, these medicines can make you feel tired and sleepy. In addition, there are always side effects of chemical medications. Here are some natural remedies and self-care alternatives that you can consider to keep your pollen allergy in check:

Saline nasal spray

You can be a step ahead and take precautionary measures to avoid pollen allergies by using a saline rinse into your nose every day to flush away pollen that you may have inhaled. In one study, those who rinsed their sinuses twice daily for a period of three to six weeks reported a lesser amount of nasal congestion than those who did not.

Neti pots can be used to rinse pollens away using saltwater. Although it might feel strange at first, this is a highly effective method that has been used for thousands of years in India.

Butterbur

This herb has the best track record among those used to treat pollen allergies. A study done by Swiss doctors showed that when a person took one tablet containing butterbur four times a day, it displayed the same efficiency as a popular antihistamine medicine. Thus, this herb shows high potential in keeping pollen allergy symptoms under control. Butterbur is also used to treat a number of other conditions. However, the effects of using this herb over an extended period of time are unknown and hence it would be best to consult your health practitioner about using it regularly.

DOES YOUR HEALTH MATTER?

About TheHealthDigest.org

The Hippocratic Oath is a code of conduct that has been deemed as a rite of passage for medical practitioners since the Fifth Century BCE. It is sacred Greek text that has withstood the test of time as an understanding that practicing medicine should be governed by ethics, principles, and above all else empathy and compassion for those that need to be cared for.
We, at The Health Digest try to embody the values of this oath to the best of our abilities in every article we publish. We understand that in most cases, the proper information about a medical condition is the best deterrent for the condition becoming unmanageable.
The Health Digest is made up of a team of dedicated writers that tirelessly research changing trends in healthcare to make sure that the information you receive is accurate, holistic and legible...